Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay

Last updated

Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay
Genre Reality television
Presented by Amanda Byram
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Chris Cowan
  • Jean-Michel Michenaud
  • Ray Giuliani
Production location West Hollywood, California
Running time2 hours
Production company Rocket Science Laboratories
Original release
Network Fox
ReleaseJune 7, 2004 (2004-06-07) (unaired)

Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay is an unaired American reality television special planned for broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The two-hour special was set to premiere on June 7, 2004, although it was abruptly removed from the Fox schedule only eleven days before its planned broadcast. Filmed in West Hollywood, California, the special depicted two straight men in competition for a $50,000 reward over who could pass themselves off as a more convincing gay man. The contestants were required to move into separate lofts with gay roommates, come out to their best friends, and socialize at gay nightclubs, in addition to competing in a variety of daily challenges. The special was hosted by Irish television presenter Amanda Byram.

Contents

Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay was a part of Fox's intent to capitalize on a rising interest in LGBT-themed reality television shows. However, the special was met with fierce criticism from advocacy groups, such as the media monitoring organization GLAAD, who claimed it promoted a negative portrayal of gay men. The special's press release also received backlash, particularly a line that described the special's premise as "a heterosexual male's worst nightmare: turning gay overnight". On May 27, 2004, Fox shelved the special, citing creative reasons. The special's cancellation influenced other television networks to reach out to GLAAD for review of their own LGBT-themed television shows. In 2005, Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay was one of several television programs cited in a class-action lawsuit filed by the Writers Guild of America concerning labor law violations.

Format

Contestant Larry Anderson (middle) with his three coaches Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay Promotional Image.png
Contestant Larry Anderson (middle) with his three coaches

Set in West Hollywood, the two-hour special depicted two straight men—a 22-year-old student from Florida and a 28-year-old salesman from Massachusetts [1] —in competition for a reward of $50,000. [2] In order to win the reward, the men were required to pass themselves off as gay for a week and immerse themselves in gay culture. [3] The men were required to move into separate lofts with gay roommates, come out to their best friends, and socialize at gay nightclubs. [4] The contestants also competed in daily challenges; challenges included swimsuit modeling for a group of gay men, confiding in a former teammate that the contestant wrestled due to enjoyment of "close contact with sweaty boys", fork-feeding dinner to a blind date and convincing the date to spank them, making a "gay face", and naming a favorite male pornographic film actor. [5] The contestants were each assigned three coaches (referred to as "mantors") [1] that guided them in experiencing "life as a gay man". [6] At the end of the week, the two men were judged by a diverse panel of gay men who had previously been told that only one of the contestants were actually gay. [7] Whichever contestant the panel chose as the more convincing gay man received the reward. [8] The special was hosted by Irish television presenter Amanda Byram. [9]

Announcement and reception

On May 13, 2004, Fox issued a press release for Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay. Set to air on June 7, 2004, the release described the special's premise as "a heterosexual male's worst nightmare: turning gay overnight". [10] It also specified that the winner of the special would be selected by a "jury of their queers". [3] The release quickly drew criticism from television critics, with The Washington Post 's Lisa de Moraes referring to it as homophobic. [11] Production company World of Wonder, which specializes in LGBTQ programming, referred to the special as a "potential problem" that exploits gay men. [12] Four hours after the release was issued, Fox distributed another press release that omitted both of these lines. [10] The network also issued an apology, in which it referred to the content of the initial release as a "failed attempt at humor". [13] The special's announcement followed a rising interest in LGBTQ-themed reality television shows. [14]

I think the show showed that the stereotypes people have aren't true. I realized that there is no way to act gay; you are just your normal self. That definitely came out in the show.

—Contestant Larry Anderson discussing his experience on the special. [1]

The special drew sharp criticism from advocacy groups, including the media monitoring organization GLAAD. [15] Fox provided an advance copy of the special to GLAAD who, upon review, condemned it as "an exercise in systematic humiliation". [16] The organization specifically cited dialogue in which the contestants described their experience on the special as their "worst nightmare" and being "trapped in gay hell". [17] The organization further criticized the special's premise, in which it claimed that the special was offensive and could potentially increase violence against gay people. [5] GLAAD's entertainment media director, Stephen Macias, further claimed that the special embodied "ludicrously sophomoric notions of what it is to be gay". [5] In addition to the special's content, the organization also criticized the language used in its press release, specifically the line that described a panel of gay men as a "jury of their queers". [3]

Several of the special's producers and actors voiced their own criticism toward GLAAD. Executive producer Ray Giuliani and creative consultant Christian McLaughlin claimed that the special was meant to be humorous, with McLaughlin accusing GLAAD of censorship. [1] [18] Giuliani explained that the producers intended for the homophobic contestants to have "walked away learning something about what it feels like to be a gay man in the middle of a straight world". [1] Larry Anderson, one of the contestants, claimed that the special helped him overcome his own homophobia; he highlighted several meaningful interactions he had with his coaches. [1] Jackie Beat, a drag performer and one of the coaches, criticized GLAAD's stance on the special and claimed that it did not portray gay people in a negative manner. [1] Byram similarly expressed her disappointment with the special's negative reception, in which she claimed that "TV and the FCC [are] very sensitive right now". [19]

Cancelation

On May 27, 2004—only eleven days before the premiere of Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay—Fox announced that it had shelved the special. [20] A Fox spokesperson claimed that the network "looked at [the special], and creatively it was not where we felt like it should be." [2] This announcement came only hours after GLAAD scheduled a meeting with Fox's entertainment president, Gail Berman, to discuss its concerns over the special's portrayal of gay men. [1] According to The Advocate , an "inside source" at Fox alleged that the special's cancelation was a result of Fox executives "believ[ing] the gay reality phenomenon was on the wane", primarily due to the underperformance of Playing It Straight and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy . [1] The special was replaced on the Fox schedule with a telecasting of American Pie 2 . [20]

The cancelation of Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay received mixed responses. Giuliani primarily attributed the special's cancelation to pressures Fox faced from GLAAD; he criticized the organization for never directly discussing its concerns with the producers. [21] However, Beat claimed that the network was clearly unenthusiastic about the special. [1] He further claimed that the special's cancelation may indicate that LGBT representation in television was no longer shocking to audiences. [1] In response to the cancelation, GLAAD commended Fox for "doing the right thing" and being responsive to the organization's concerns. [22] One of the contestants, Larry Anderson, subsequently did a photo spread for The Advocate; the magazine interviewed Anderson, several of the special's producers, and a representative from GLAAD. [1]

The special's abrupt cancelation prompted TBS executives to reach out to GLAAD for review of their own program, He's a Lady . Douglas Ross and Tommy Campbell claimed that they did not want to offend transgender people with He's a Lady, which depicted a competition between eleven men who received feminine makeovers and participated in weekly gender-specific challenges. [23] Campbell explained: "We had heard about Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay and how it was controversial. We went to GLAAD to get their support and to show that this was a kind show." [23] Despite this claim, GLAAD alleged that they were the ones to reach out to the producers after seeing a press release for the series. [24] As a result of their consultation with GLAAD, Campbell stated that the organization helped the producers to "become more aware of transgender issues and the double standards of beauty". [23] The cancellation of Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay also resulted in Fox organizing a meeting with GLAAD to discuss and improve the network's on-air representations of the LGBT community. [25]

Lawsuit

On August 23, 2005, Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay was one of several television programs cited in a class-action lawsuit filed by the Writers Guild of America. Known as Shriver v. Rocket Science Laboratories, the suit was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and targeted the special's production company, Rocket Science Laboratories, alongside the special's network, Fox. [26] The plaintiffs in the suit included writers and editors of the special who alleged violations of the California Labor Code. [27] The employees claimed that the two companies violated labor laws in relation to overtime, wages, and meal periods. [28] More specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the companies forced employees to falsify time cards in order to be paid a flat weekly rate, despite the employees actually working nearly 80 hours a week with no meal breaks. [29] In 2009, a settlement was reached between the two parties for $2.57 million, although Rocket Science Laboratories and Fox continued to deny all liability. [26] Speaking on the settlement, Emma Leheny, an attorney for the plaintiffs, stated, "I'd like to say as a plaintiff's attorney that I cured cancer, that this case brought these violations to an end. But we know they still go on." [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GLAAD</span> American LGBT media monitoring group

GLAAD is an American non-governmental media monitoring organization. Originally founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of gay and lesbian demographics and their portrayals in the media and entertainment industries, it has since expanded to queer, bisexual, and transgender people.

<i>Queer Eye</i> (2003 TV series) American reality television series

Queer Eye is an American reality television series that premiered on the Bravo network in July 2003, initially broadcast as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The series was created by executive producers David Collins and Michael Williams along with David Metzler through their company, Scout Productions. Each episode features a team of gay professionals in the fields of fashion, personal grooming, interior design, entertaining, and culture collectively known as the "Fab Five" performing a makeover : revamping wardrobe, redecorating, and offering lifestyle advice.

<i>Boy Meets Boy</i> (TV series) American reality television series

Boy Meets Boy is an American reality television series broadcast by Bravo. The series ran for six episodes from July 29 to September 2, 2003. It starred human resources manager James Getzlaff, who searched for a partner among a group of fifteen men. Getzleff engaged in one-on-one dates and group activities with the men; however, it was revealed to him in the fourth episode that half of the men were actually straight. Getzlaff typically eliminated three men from the competition at the end of each episode. If the final man in the competition was gay, he and Getzlaff won a monetary reward and a vacation to New Zealand. Conversely, if the final man was straight, he alone won a monetary reward. The series was hosted by English television presenter Dani Behr.

<i>Playing It Straight</i> 2004 reality television series

Playing It Straight is an American reality television series broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The series premiered on March 12, 2004, although it was prematurely cancelled by the network following the broadcast of its third episode on March 26, 2004. Set at the Sizzling Saddle Ranch in Elko, Nevada, the series depicted fourteen men who attempted to pursue a romantic relationship with college student Jackie Thomas. However, this group of suitors was split between men who identified as straight and gay. Through a series of group activities and one-on-one dates, Thomas was required to eliminate men from the competition who she believed identified as gay. If the final suitor was a straight man, he and Thomas split a reward of $1 million. Conversely, if the final suitor was a gay man, he alone won the reward. The series was hosted by American television presenter Daphne Brogdon.

<i>Paradise Hotel</i> American television program

Paradise Hotel is an American reality television program. In the show, a group of singles live in a luxurious hotel resort, competing to see who can stay in the hotel the longest. Each week, the contestants pair off into couples, and must share a hotel room together. One person is left over, and he or she must either pair up in the following episode, or leave the hotel to be replaced by a new contestant. The format was created by Mentorn, a British production company, which has produced various versions of the show around the world.

<i>Hes a Lady</i> 2004 reality television series

He's a Lady is an American reality television series broadcast by TBS. The six-episode series premiered on October 19, 2004, and concluded on November 23, 2004. Filmed in Los Angeles, California, the series depicted eleven cisgender men in competition for a $250,000 reward over who could pass themselves off as a more convincing woman. The contestants were required to cross-dress and adopt feminine personas, which were then introduced to their family and friends. The contestants additionally competed in weekly challenges that required them to embrace femininity. The competition culminated in a beauty pageant, which was judged by a celebrity panel. The series was hosted by American television presenter Tony Frassrand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Byram</span> Irish television presenter and former model

Amanda Byram is an Irish television presenter and former model, best known for co-presenting BBC One game show Total Wipeout with Richard Hammond, the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars on RTÉ1 and for hosting American television shows, The Swan and Paradise Hotel.

<i>Whos Your Daddy?</i> (2005 TV series) 2005 reality television special

Who's Your Daddy? is an American reality television special broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The 90 minute special premiered on January 3, 2005, and starred actress T. J. Myers. The special depicted eight men in competition for a $100,000 reward over who could best convince Myers, a woman who was adopted, that they were her biological father. One of the contestants, however, actually was Myers's biological father. Myers had the opportunity to interview and observe each contestant before making a determination on which man was her biological father. If Myers incorrectly selected a contestant as her biological father, the contestant won the reward. Conversely, if she correctly determined which contestant was her biological father, Myers won the reward. The special was hosted by English actress Finola Hughes.

<i>Welcome to the Neighborhood</i> (TV series) 2005 reality television series

Welcome to the Neighborhood is an unaired American reality television series planned for broadcast by ABC. The series was set to premiere on July 10, 2005, for a six-episode run, although it was abruptly removed from the ABC schedule only ten days before its planned broadcast. The series depicted a group of seven diverse families in competition for a lavish house in Circle C Ranch, an upscale subdivision of Austin, Texas. In order to win the competition, the families were required to participate in a series of interviews, challenges, and social interactions, which were judged by a panel of three conservative white families that resided in Circle C Ranch. These judging families eliminated a competing family from the competition each week; the competing family that remained at the end of the competition was awarded the house and became a part of the Circle C Ranch community. The series was narrated by American voice actor David O'Brien.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Cardon</span> American actress (born 1975)

Rebecca Lynn Cardon is a film and television actress, personal trainer, and product spokesperson.

Christian McLaughlin is a television writer, producer, and author. McLaughlin is a graduate of Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas. He gained notoriety in his early twenties with the publication of his novels, Glamourpuss and Sex Toys of the Gods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perez Hilton</span> American blogger (born 1978)

Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., known professionally as Perez Hilton, is an American blogger, columnist, and media personality. His blog is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities, and for posting tabloid photos over which he has added his own captions or "doodles". His blog has garnered controversy for its attitude, its former practice of outing alleged closeted celebrities, and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities in all forms of media.

<i>Gay, Straight or Taken?</i> 2007 reality television series

Gay, Straight or Taken? is an American reality television series broadcast by Lifetime. The series premiered on January 8, 2007, and its eighteenth and final episode aired on March 12, 2007. Filmed in Los Angeles, California, each episode depicted a straight single woman going on a group date with three men. Among the men, one is straight and single, one is straight and partnered, and the other is gay and partnered. At the end of the date, the woman was required to discern which of the men she believed to be straight and single. If she correctly chose the straight single man, the two would win an all-expenses-paid vacation together; if she chose one of the other two men, that man would receive the vacation with his own partner.

<i>Transamerican Love Story</i> 2008 American TV series or program

Transamerican Love Story is an American reality dating show in which suitors woo transgender woman Calpernia Addams. Addams chooses a suitor by process of elimination. When the show first aired, viewers could vote their preferences online, but it was Addams who chose whom to eliminate. Calpernia is accompanied by her friend Andrea James; each episode is hosted by comedian Alec Mapa.

"I'm Gay and I'm Getting Married" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American television documentary series True Life and the series's 78th episode overall. It featured two gay couples as they apply for marriage licenses and get married in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It originally aired on June 24, 2004. The episode follows a gay couple, Aaron Pike and Stephen, and a lesbian couple, Sara and Jessica, who legalize their unions by getting marriage licenses in Massachusetts after they became available on May 17, 2004. The couples, both from Massachusetts, go through all the wedding preparations, from the special celebrations with family to applying and receiving their marriage licenses. Stephen Schonberg claimed that he participated in the documentary to help "gay youths to feel empowered to be true to themselves, despite what others may try to force them to be."

My Husband's Not Gay is an American reality television special broadcast by TLC. Filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah, the one-hour special premiered on January 11, 2015. The special followed four Mormon men who are attracted to men but do not identify as gay. The special depicts one of the men's search for a wife while the other three men, who are married to women, navigate their unconventional relationships.

We're Here is a HBO reality television series featuring former Drag Race contestants, documenting the drag queens as they travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows. The show premiered on April 23, 2020.

The Partner is an unaired American reality television series planned for broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The series was set to premiere on November 7, 2004, for a ten-episode run, although it was cancelled by the network less than a month before its planned broadcast. The Partner depicted a series of mock trial competitions between two teams of attorneys for a position at a prestigious law firm. One team was composed of attorneys who graduated from Ivy League schools while the other team was composed of attorneys who graduated from less prestigious schools. The mock trials, which were based on real-life cases, were argued in front of a jury of laypersons. Following these arguments, the jury deliberated over which attorney to eliminate from the competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket Science Laboratories</span> American television production company

Rocket Science Laboratories was an American television production company, best known for creating reality television titles throughout the 2000s. The company was founded by Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris Cowan, both former employees of ZMC Productions; the two acquired ownership of ZMC Productions in 1998 and renamed it Rocket Science Laboratories. The company initially produced television documentaries, before shifting its focus to reality television programming with 2000's Surprise Wedding for the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). This special resulted in a close working relationship between the companies, in which Rocket Science Laboratories signed an exclusive deal to develop projects for Fox. Rocket Science Laboratories produced several successful titles, including Temptation Island, Joe Millionaire, and My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Goodridge, Mike (October 12, 2004). "Seriously, dude, it was a joke". The Advocate . Vol. 924. Here Publishing. pp. 85–7. ISSN   0001-8996 . Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Schneider, Michael (April 24, 2004). "Inside Move: It's straight to trash for Fox's 'Gay' spec". Variety . Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Fox Drops 'Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay'". The Washington Post . May 29, 2004. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Fox raises hackles with Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay". The Advocate . May 15, 2004. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 Macias, Stephen (June 1, 2004). "Shooting straight on reality TV". Variety . Archived from the original on May 25, 2018.
  6. ↑ Dehnart, Andy (May 14, 2004). "FOX's special Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay will train straight men to act gay". Reality Blurred. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  7. ↑ Charlesworth 2015, p. 56.
  8. ↑ Pozner 2010, p. 51.
  9. ↑ "Fox dishes up another gay-themed reality show". Today . May 13, 2004. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Seriously, dude, they're sorry". Los Angeles Times . May 14, 2004. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  11. ↑ de Moraes, Lisa (May 14, 2004). "Fox Puts Foot in Its Mouth, Kicks Self". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  12. ↑ Musto, Michael (June 8, 2004). "NY Mirror". The Village Voice . Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ Welsh, James (May 14, 2004). "FOX apologises for "inappropriate" joke". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Fox Takes Gay-Themed Reality Show One Step Further". Yahoo! . May 13, 2004. Archived from the original on May 29, 2004. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  15. ↑ Young, Kevin (May 29, 2007). "How reality TV shocked the world". BBC . Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  16. ↑ "US 'gay reality show' cancelled". BBC . May 28, 2004. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Seriously, dude, it's canceled". Chicago Tribune . June 1, 2004. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  18. ↑ Hibberd, James (August 11, 2022). "14 Notorious Movies and TV Shows That Have Never Been Released". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  19. ↑ McAvoy Gottlieb, Julia (August 2004). "Irish Host Amanda Byram Continues on FOX". Irish America . Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Fox cancels gay-themed reality show". Today . May 27, 2004. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022.
  21. ↑ Graham, Chad (April 11, 2005). "Growing pains at GLAAD". The Advocate . Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Fox network axes Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay". The Advocate . May 28, 2004. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  23. 1 2 3 Goodridge, Mike (October 26, 2004). "Dude looks like a lady". The Advocate. Vol. 925. Here Publishing. p. 60. ISSN   0001-8996 . Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Correction". The Advocate. Vol. 927. Here Publishing. November 23, 2004. p. 6. ISSN   0001-8996 . Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  25. ↑ Welsh, James (May 28, 2004). "FOX yanks gay-themed reality show". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Dehnart, Andy (January 22, 2009). "Networks, producers will pay $4.11 million to settle reality workers' overtime lawsuits". Reality Blurred. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Reality writers sue Fox over lost wages". Today . August 25, 2005. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  28. ↑ Welsh, James (August 25, 2005). "Reality TV writers sue Fox, Rocket Science". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  29. ↑ "WGAW, Reality Staffers Sue For Back Wages". Billboard . August 30, 2005. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  30. ↑ Barnhart, Aaron (January 21, 2009). "Exploited writers on "Bachelor", "Joe Millionaire", other reality TV win valuable cash prizes". TV Barn. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.